Tilt bar structure for venetian blinds



June 14, 1938. v H. K. LoRl-:N'rzEN 2,120,284

TILT BAR STRUCTURE FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filedy laren 27. 1937 hm ATTORNEY.;

Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED f STATES PATENTl 'OFFICE Hans K. Lorentaen, Montclair, N. J.

Application March Z7, 1937, Serial No. 133,314

' 12 Claims. (Cl. 156-17) Y 'I'his invention relates to Venetian blinds and Y particularly to atilt bar structure therefor; and this application for patent is a continuationI in part oi' my.prior application on which Patent 2,075,214 issued on March30, 1937.

The conventional Venetian blind includes a K series of superimposed spaced slats, suspended 'as a group by two or more' ladder tapes. The upper ends of the tapes are iixed to a bar (really a .top

slat), which bar is mounted for limited oscillation (tilting) about its longitudinal axis. This bar and itsmounting constitutes the tilt bar structure. When the bar is tilted, corresponding tilting movement is imparted by/the ladder tapes to each of the slats of the blind. Various tilt bar structures have heretofore been proposed; and while some of them are satisfactory in many respects, their characteristics have been such that flimsy or unreliable blinds have often resulted when the parts were made and assembled on a high speed quantity production basis.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a tilt bar structure which makes it easy to achieve an adequately supported and readily detachable bar with inexpensive parts made on a quantity production basis.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tilt bar' structure which can be readily assembledI into a rigid reliable ,construction without requiring the use oi'a bar which is per se heavy and especially rigid. v

Other objects of the invention are to improve the assembly of the tilt bar structure, to reduce to a lower degree the skill and care that is required to makel the assembly, to reduce the cost,l

and to provide a construction which better lends itself to highspeed quantity production of parts. Various detailed objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theA disclosure herein.

In the following description, references to "right hand end" and left hand endv refer'o'nly tothe showings in the accompanying drawing, as the invention may be constructed with end-to-en reversal of the structure shown.

Fig. 1 of the drawing vis a front view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating a tilt barY structure embodying the present invention. Portions of the structure are broken away to make a compact figure, and the sectional showing is approximately on the line I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig.y 2 is a vertical cross section showing the center portion onlyroi the tilt bar structure,`and taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing in end elevationthe support for the right hand end of the bar. This support includes a locking lever which is shown'in position permitting insertion and removal of the bar. Fig. 4 isa view similar to Fig. 3, but with the locking lever in the position for retaining the bar. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section showing a coupling member which is ailxed to the left hand end of the bar and forms a part thereof.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the center support for the bar. I

Fig. '7 is the same type of view as Fig. l, but showing a modified construction; The sectional showing is approximately on the line l--l of Fig.'8. ,Y

Fig. 8, shows the modified construction and is the same type of view as Fig. 2. The view is taken approximately on the line il,'8 of Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view showing an element which may beused in the center support shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Reference will rst be had to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. The tilt bar structure includes a bar designated as awhole by I0, a support for the right hand end of the bar designated as a whole by 20, a supportfor the center of the bar designated as a whole by 30, and a support for the left hand end of the bar designated as a whole by 40. The

. supports 2|), III and l0 are all attached to a conventional suspension bar 5U.

The bar I0 is built up from a heavy wooden slat il, which is provided at its right hand end` with va conventional pintle i2 that is axially located and driven into the end of the slat.

`The left hand end of the bar has a flat coupling member I3v driven-as shown in Fig. 5 into two symmetrically located holes I4 and I5 which are drilled into the left hand end of the slat Il.

v Thecoupling member i3 is a-sheet metal stamping and is' provided with a series of integral sawtoothed .formations I6 (four shown) which make barbed engagement with the wood and firmlyY secure the coupling member i3 to the slat. At

Vits center theslat Il is provided with an arc'uv ate'transverse slot i1, from the lowest point of which a vertical hole 'I8 extends to the bottomv of the slat. l 4

The right hand support 2li includes a 'stamped sheet metal angle bracket 2i, to which may be attached a cord lock assembly 22 (not illustrated indetail). The lower. end of the bracket 2| is provided with an open ended inclined slot 23 clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 14. This slot- 2l receives the pintle I2, which normally lies in the lowermost portion ot the slot 23 where :it is freely rotatable. Pivoted -at 24 to the bracket 2| is a stamped sheet metal lockinglever -25 which can be swung from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 to prevent accidental displacement. of the pintle I2 from the slot 23. Lever 25 is preferably formed with a circular indentation 25 that snaps lateraliy into a retaining hole 21 when the leveris swung to the position shown in Figui.

' The center support 30 includes a metal stamping 3| having holes 32 (four shown) which receive screws to attach the stamping to the under side of the slat II. Stamping 3l isformed with an integral upright 33 whichis provided at its upper end with a bearing hole 34 into which a vertical slot 35 opens. The upright 33 projects through the hole I8 in the Slat II, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and pivoted to the upright is a connected link 36-which has a iiat hook formation 31 that rides upon an arcuate bearing 38. I

The varcuate bearing 33 is a single metal stamping which may be attached by screws, as shown, to the suspension bar 50.

The support 4for the left hand end of the bar I includes a sheet metal bracket 4I to which is pivoted at 42 a stamped U-shaped member 43 having two vertical legs 44 Aand 45. Leg 44 has a transverse slot that detachably receives the flat coupling I3. Leg 45 hasy its upper edge formed into a segmental gear that is adapted to be drive'n in a well-known manner by a cordand-pulley actuated worm. In practice the worm drive is also `attached to bracket 4I, but is not shown since it is not part of the present invention.

It will be seenthat the entire tilt bar structure is composed of only the wooden slat I-I and screws and stamped metal parts. The pintle I2 and the flat coupling I3 are inexpensive and are readily aiiixed to the wooden slat II. Fig. 6,shows the manner o! assembling the connecting link 36. to the metal stamping 3I. The fiattened hook end 31 is iished through the slot 35v andthen the rounded part o! the link is moved into position in the bearing hole 34. With the vlink 33 thus assembled to the stamping 3i, the

link is passed vupwardly through the hole I3 and thestamping 3I affixed to the bottom of the slat II. The bar` III is placedinits supports by simply inserting the coupling member I3 into lthe slot of leg44, and swinging the pintle I2 into slot 23 where it is retained by movement of lever 25. The center of the bar II can then be exed upwardly and the iiattened hook end 31 of the center support be moved lengthwise ofY the bar to engage thev connecting link 31 with the arcuate bearing 33. It will be seen from Fig. 2 that the bearing surface oi.' the Imember 33 is spaced. from suspension bar 53 asuicient distance to permit this movement of link 3B to either engage or gage it from the bearing 38.

Fig. 2 shows in dot-dash lines the position of the slat II and the connecting link-33 upon extreme tilting of the slat `II in one direction. The hook 31 travels on the arcuate bearing 33 and the hole 34 pivots on, the lower end of the connecting link. Upon tilting of the slat II in the opposite direction, the action is similar, the link 36 swinging in the opposite direction.

The general structure shown in Figs. '1, 8 and disen- 9 is so similar to that already described, that it will suillce to merelypoint out the ciit!er.A

ences. Inlieu of the. flat cpupling member, the

slat. II is provided with two coupling pins II and 52 which are detachably received by two holes in the leg 53 of the pivoted U-shaped member54. The leg 55 of the U-shaped member, which is formed as a gear sector, is reenforced by a plate E which is welded to the leg 55 and is also formed with gear teeth. Locking lever 51, which holds the pintle I2 in the slot, is of slightly diierent form from locking lever 25. and is provided with a laterally projecting thumbpiece 58.

'I'he center of slat I I is provided with an arcuate transverse slot I1, but hole I8 is omitted. Aihxed as shown to the top of slat II is a metal stamping designated as a whole by' 60. This stamping has a horizontal branch 6I which lies on top of slat II; and has a vertical branch 62 which projects into slot I1. Vertical branch 62 is provided with a bearing hole 63 out of which a vertical slot B4 A opens. This bearing hole and slot permits assembly of the connecting link 36 with the stampi ing 53 in a fashion analogous to that described in connection with Fig. 6. A hole 35 in stamping 60 provides space for tipping of link 36 in engaging and disengaging it from arcuate support 38. `While hole 35 is shown at the center of stamping 60, it may be located adjacent one edge thereof. 'I'he hole 65 may be omitted (as shown in Figs. '1 and 8) and then the link 33 may be engaged and disengaged from arcuate support 33 by tipping slat II to the extreme position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 8. v

In compliance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed the best forms in which I have contemplated applying my invention, but it will be understood that the disclosures are illustrative and not limiting.

What is claimed is:

1. A` tilt bar structure for Venetian blinds, comprising: a continuous slat having a recess between its ends, a coupling member axed to one end o1' the slat, a pintle affixed to the other end of the slat, a tting projecting into said recess and comprising a supporting bearing, and a tension link pivoted to said fitting and detachably assembled therewith.

2. A tilt bar structure for Venetian blinds,

comprising: a slat, and a coupling member nondetachably afllxed to one end of the slat, the

coupling member being a unitary fiat metal stamping having two integral legs projecting into the slat and making a driving t therewith.

3. For the tilt bar structure of a Venetian blind, a fitting for detachably connecting the b ar to a support, the tting comprising a sheet metal stamping having a body portion and two legs projecting from the body portion to make a driven engagement with the tilt bar.

4. For the tilt bar structure of a Venetianblind,

a unitary coupling member of stamped sheet metal, the stamping comprising a iiat body portion and an integral barbed prong projecting from the body portion.

5. A center support for Venetian blinds comprising a head board, an arcuate saddle attached to the head board, a tilt'bar formed with a transand supporting the other end of the' hook, the

' curve ot the arcuate saddle corresponding to the arc described by the end ofthe hook in swinging about its pivot.

7. In a Venetian blind, a slat, and a tting afiix'ed to the end of the slat, the fitting comprising a unitary sheet metal stamping having two spaced prongs projecting into the end'of the slat and in drlveneng'ag'ement therewith.

s. A venetian bund fitting comprising a. unitary sheet metal stamping ha'ving two spaced prongs;

the prongs being -ijlat and having toothed edges.

9. A Venetian blind iltting comprising a unitary sheet metal stamping having two ilat prongs spaced apart and lying in the same plane, the

inneredges of the prongs having saw tooth formations.

10. In a Venetian blind; va head board; a tilt bar; a metal fitting secured to the tilt bar, the tting having a bearing hole and a slot intersectlng the hole; a link having a ilat hook formation' at one end and a bearing portion at the otherend, the hooked end of the link being insertable through saidv slot and the link being movable through said tting to bring the bearing portion ol' the link lntosaid bearing'hole; and an CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,120,23lr.

arcuate saddle amxed to said head board, the hooked end of the link being detachably engageable with said saddle.

11. In a Venetian blind, a center support comprising: a iittinghaving a bearing hole and a 'slot intersecting the hole; and a connecting link having a ilat hook formation at one end and a.

bearing portion at the other end, the hooked end of the link being insertable through said slot and the link being movable through said tltting to bring the bearing portion of the link into said bearing hole.

l2. VIn a Venetian blind; ahead board; anon-- and having theY other end positioned in said recess;` and an attachment fitting secured to the tilt bar, the attachment fitting and said link being pivotally connected together coaxially with v said tilt bar axis. l

HANS- K. IREN'I'LEN.

HANS K. LORENTZEN.

It 'is herebycertified that error appearsin-tlm printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: PQgeZ, second column, line 67, claim 5, after "hook" insert the words'pivoted to'said bearing portion and; andthat the'said Letters Patent should' be read 'with' .this correction .therein that the'sam may conform tothe recordof the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealedrhis 19th any of July, A. D. 1958;

(seal),

Henry Van Arsdale Acting C'onzm'issionervof Patents.

and supporting the other end of the' hook, the

' curve ot the arcuate saddle corresponding to the arc described by the end ofthe hook in swinging about its pivot.

7. In a Venetian blind, a slat, and a tting afiix'ed to the end of the slat, the fitting comprising a unitary sheet metal stamping having two spaced prongs projecting into the end'of the slat and in drlveneng'ag'ement therewith.

s. A venetian bund fitting comprising a. unitary sheet metal stamping ha'ving two spaced prongs;

the prongs being -ijlat and having toothed edges.

9. A Venetian blind iltting comprising a unitary sheet metal stamping having two ilat prongs spaced apart and lying in the same plane, the

inneredges of the prongs having saw tooth formations.

10. In a Venetian blind; va head board; a tilt bar; a metal fitting secured to the tilt bar, the tting having a bearing hole and a slot intersectlng the hole; a link having a ilat hook formation' at one end and a bearing portion at the otherend, the hooked end of the link being insertable through saidv slot and the link being movable through said tting to bring the bearing portion ol' the link lntosaid bearing'hole; and an CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,120,23lr.

arcuate saddle amxed to said head board, the hooked end of the link being detachably engageable with said saddle.

11. In a Venetian blind, a center support comprising: a iittinghaving a bearing hole and a 'slot intersecting the hole; and a connecting link having a ilat hook formation at one end and a.

bearing portion at the other end, the hooked end of the link being insertable through said slot and the link being movable through said tltting to bring the bearing portion of the link into said bearing hole.

l2. VIn a Venetian blind; ahead board; anon-- and having theY other end positioned in said recess;` and an attachment fitting secured to the tilt bar, the attachment fitting and said link being pivotally connected together coaxially with v said tilt bar axis. l

HANS- K. IREN'I'LEN.

HANS K. LORENTZEN.

It 'is herebycertified that error appearsin-tlm printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: PQgeZ, second column, line 67, claim 5, after "hook" insert the words'pivoted to'said bearing portion and; andthat the'said Letters Patent should' be read 'with' .this correction .therein that the'sam may conform tothe recordof the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealedrhis 19th any of July, A. D. 1958;

(seal),

Henry Van Arsdale Acting C'onzm'issionervof Patents. 

